The 16 best meat substitutes for vegetarians, ranked by protein content

When making the switch to vegetarianism, one of the biggest things you lose is an easy source of protein. Protein is a super-important macromolecule for the building blocks of your body’s bones, muscles, tissues, skin, and blood. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends a daily serving of 5½-oz. of protein for the average adult, though it may be more depending on personal health and exercise levels. Not enough protein leads to muscle loss, fatigue, and in some cases, anemia.

GIF courtesy of giphy.com

Lucky for vegetarians, there are several alternatives to meat out there that are equally delicious as a cheeseburger, and can provide just as much protein. Here is a list of 16 high-protein replacements for meat, ranked according to the amount of protein in each.

15. Green peas — 7.5g protein per 1 cup serving

Photo courtesy of smittenkitchen.com

That’s right, this legume contains a whooping 7.9g of protein in just one cup, about the same as a glass of milk. Additionally, peas are low in calories and fat and are extremely versatile. Serve them on the side of another meat substitute for a hearty meal, or make this pea pesto to serve on linguine pasta.

14. Milk — 8g protein per 1 cup

Photo by Helena Lin

Depending on the type of milk you choose from, it can be a great additional source of protein for vegetarians. Cow’s milk and soy milk contain an average of 8g of protein per one serving, while almond milk contains only about 2g. Milk can be added into any of your favorite smoothies, or enjoyed on its own with a meal.

12. Edamame — 11g protein per 1 cup

Photo by Elyse Belarge

Edamame is every vegetarian’s favorite portable, high-protein snack. Its 11g of protein per one cup serving is equal to the amount in half of an average chicken breast. Whip up this edamame dip to serve with veggies or pita chips as a satisfying and meatless, protein-filled snack.

11. Beans — 16g protein per 1 cup

Photo by Kelda Baljon

There are tons of different varieties of beans out there, including pinto, black, and kidney, just to name a few popular ones. Two cups of kidney beans contain about 26g of protein, which is about as much as a Big Mac from McDonald’s. Therefore, you’re better off making this black bean burger that’s so good, even your meat-loving friends will enjoy it.

10. Greek Yogurt — 17g protein per 1 cup

Photo by Yonatan Soler

Greek yogurt is a great go-to for vegetarians as it contains more protein than regular yogurt. The average 8-oz. serving of greek yogurt contains 15-20 grams of protein, which is about as much in 2 to 3 ounces of lean meat. To make a satisfying breakfast or snack, make a greek yogurt parfait with granola, hemp seeds, peanut butter, and fruit.

9. Lentils — 18g protein per 1 cup

Photo by Amanda Gajdosik

Lentils are meaty legumes that are extremely versatile, cheap, and easy to prepare. They also contain a large amount of iron and potassium, which are important minerals for your body. Lentils can be made into a variety of hearty meals for vegetarians as an alternative to meat options.

This article originally appeared on Spoon University and was written by Lauren Kruchten. Spoon University is a food network for our generation, where all the content is produced by college students. They cover everything from simple recipes and local restaurants to dining hall hacks and healthy living tips. For more, check out the Spoon University site, or like their page on Facebook.

This article comes from The USA TODAY College partner network. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of USA TODAY. You understand that we have no obligation to monitor any discussion forums, blogs, photo- or video-sharing pages, or other areas of the Site through which users can supply information or material. However, we reserve the right at all times, in our sole discretion, to screen content submitted by users and to edit, move, delete, and/or refuse to accept any content that in our judgment violates these Terms of Service or is otherwise unacceptable or inappropriate, whether for legal or other reasons.